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As crucial members of the pathology and laboratory medicine service, histopathology technologists possess broad knowledge of biological sciences and the skills necessary to process anatomic pathology specimens. The work performed by histopathology technologists is vital for pathologists to interpret laboratory results and provide diagnoses and prognoses that allow for planning appropriate and life-saving treatments. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5.a., this part. Education: (1) Successful completion of a full four-year course of study from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, that included a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a histopathology technologist, such as, but not limited to clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy; OR (2) Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both); OR (3) Successful completion of two years of progressively higher level graduate education, leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, with a major study in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the position of histopathology technologist, such as clinical biology, microbiology, physiology, pre-medical, medical lab technology, chemistry, immunology, physiology, anatomy. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Certification (1) Candidates must currently possess the histotechnologist (HTL) certification given by the ASCP Board of Certification. The ASCP requires completion of one of the following for a candidate to be considered "board eligible" to take the certification exam: (a) Successful completion of a histotechnician or histotechnology program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); OR, (b) One year of full time experience in all of the following: fixation, embedding, microtomy, processing, and staining in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry, or research) laboratory. Grade Requirements: Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics, also referred to as core competencies; be associated with the scope of histopathology technologist practice; be directly related to the position being filled; and may be paid or non-paid employment. Part-time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable based on its relationship to a full-time work week. For example, a histopathology technologist employed 20 hours per week, or on a part time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service. Histopathology Technologist, GS-7 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. At this level, histopathology technologists serve in a career development position practicing under close supervision of a supervisor, lab manager, or qualified individual who can verify technical experience. Histopathology Technologist, GS-9 (1) Experience. Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, which is directly related to the position to be filled. (2) Assignment. At the full performance level, the histopathology technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests. Utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal issues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. The histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods, such as immunohistochemical, histochemical, and frozen section techniques. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of laboratory information technology systems and inter-connectivity. (b) Knowledge of histopathology techniques, chemistry, anatomy and physiology principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to process specimens, and the ability to perform a full range of routine specialized tests. (c) Ability to identify and test suboptimal specimens and take corrective action to minimize or eliminate impact on a patient's sample. (d) Ability to organize, coordinate, and prioritize simultaneous work assignments; both individual and team related. (e) Skill in applying professional, anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories in performing new or difficult specialized testing methods or techniques. References: VA Handbook 5005/118 Part II Appendix G65 Histopathology Technologist VA Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Must pass Pre-Employment Physical. ["At the full performance level, the GS-9 Histopathology Technologist independently performs a full range of routine and specialized tests. They utilize information technology systems to apply histopathology techniques and broad scientific principles from the fields of biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. The histopathology technologist acts as a technical resource, troubleshooting a variety of specialized lab tests, identifying suboptimal tissues, and uses independent judgment and resources to resolve concerns. The histopathology technologist ensures goals are met by prioritizing work, as necessary, in times of short staffing, or heavy workload, and by performing simultaneous tasks. The histopathology technologist uses professional skills in applying anatomic pathology principles, practices, concepts, and theories to perform new or difficult specialized testing methods, such as immunohistochemical, histochemical, and frozen section techniques. Duties include but not limited to the following: Performs accessioning duties. Receives and accessions specimens, checking documentation of patient demographic data, requesting practitioner, requested procedures, appropriateness of sample. Instructs doctors and nursing personnel and other personnel in the proper techniques of collection and preparation of the materials desired for testing and diagnosis. Performs gross examination of biopsies and surgical specimens, exercising focused attention to detail to assure accurate differentiation and reporting. Performs decalcification on ossified tissue and bone marrow biopsies using the correct degree of decalcification in order to preserve microscopic architecture of the tissue. Prepares specimens for analysis according to the specifications of the procedure. Handles all types of human tissue which may include; receiving, checking, accepting, timing, logging, storing and/or shipping, if necessary. Using an understanding of anatomy and tissue identification, the incumbent properly orients tissue specimens for embedding into paraffin wax. Embedding techniques must allow tissue to be hardened in paraffin on one plane and oriented with the least surface resistance for proper sectioning. Recognizes origin and type of tissues and properly orients and cuts small or complex specimens. Sections paraffin blocks of tissue on the rotary or motorized microtome. Sections are cut at proper thickness (1-10 microns) according to tissue type or as required for special staining procedures. Sections contain a minimal, unavoidable number of artifacts. Accessions and processes cytological specimens including sputa, body secretions, fluids and fine needle aspirates as assigned. Stains cytological specimens separately and performs special stains when required. Photography of gross specimens and maintenance of a teaching collection of gross and microscopic photographs. Performs preparation of Frozen Sections for rapid interpretation/diagnosis of tissue during surgery. Orients, cuts and stains skin and other surgical specimens using a cryostat and rapid staining techniques to prepare quality sections free of artifacts. Collects, harvests, and processes control material used in Histology. Establishes and monitors reference values ad ranges for quality control blocks to assure the accuracy and validity of results. Teaches and trains other laboratory personnel to perform immunohistochemical and stains. Under the direction of the supervisor maintains QA files of blocks and slides needed to perform special stains and immunohistochemistry stains in the laboratory. Stains tissue sections using special stains as required, including, but not limited to Acid Fast, Alcian Blue, Congo Red, Fontana-Masson, Giemsa, Gram, Iron, Melanin, Methenamine Silver, Mucicarmine, PAS-Schiff, and Trichrome. Incumbent should know which stain to employ to demonstrate particular tissue elements and properties (e.g. Congo Red for amyloid, Fontana-Masson for melanin) and be able to interpret positive controls used for these procedures. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon - Fri\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PD04634F\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]